Bollywood actor Malaika Arora’s 72-year-old mother, Joyce Arora, finds herself stranded in Dubai after her scheduled return flight to Mumbai was cancelled. The disruption stems from escalating tensions across parts of the Middle East, particularly following Iran’s reported retaliatory attacks on several US allies in the region, including the UAE, after American and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory on February 28.
The Unfolding Crisis and Flight Cancellations Joyce Arora had travelled to Dubai to celebrate her elder sister's birthday, followed by her own birthday on March 2. Her planned return to Mumbai on March 3 was abruptly halted when she received a notification about her flight's cancellation due to the ongoing conflict. This geopolitical unrest has led to the temporary suspension and rescheduling of numerous flight operations across the region.
Joyce Arora's Experience: Frightening Yet Safe Speaking to ETimes, Joyce Arora shared her firsthand account, stating, “I must say, I feel safe here. In fact, I could see the missiles being intercepted in the sky with my own eyes. It was frightening, but the Dubai military is doing a fantastic job.” Despite the alarming visual of missiles, she expressed gratitude for the robust security measures in place. Her daughters, Malaika and Amrita Arora, in Mumbai, remain in constant communication, frequently checking on her well-being. With some flight operations gradually resuming, Joyce holds onto hope for her swift return home.
Other Celebrities Affected by Travel Disruptions Joyce Arora is not an isolated case; other Indian celebrities have also faced similar predicaments:
• Esha Gupta: The actor was also stranded in Dubai during the escalation but successfully returned to India on March 3.
• Lara Dutta: The former beauty queen and actor shared a detailed video on social media, describing the tense atmosphere in Dubai amid the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict. She revealed being in Dubai since the start of the conflict, witnessing explosions and missile interceptions while shooting at a studio on February 28. Lara expressed profound gratitude towards the UAE authorities for ensuring residents felt protected. She is currently in Dubai with her daughter, while her husband, Mahesh Bhupathi, has been travelling for work.
